Michelle Obama visits South Africa to talk about AIDS prevention

First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in Soweto, South Africa, to discuss one of the most important issues facing the country – and the continent – AIDS. According to The Associated Free Press, she spoke at a church and urged young people to be conscious about safer sex practices that could help end the spread of the disease.

"You can be the generation that ends HIV/AIDS in our time, the generation that fights not just the disease, but the stigma of the disease, the generation that teaches the world that HIV is fully preventable, and treatable, and should never be a source of shame," Obama said.

She summoned imagery of civil rights and liberation, for which the Regina Mundu church was a central location, and likened it to the battle against AIDS. Around 70 female leaders were in attendance and Obama spoke with them privately after the speech. She discussed different initiatives that the women were launching, some of which included efforts to battle the condition.

MSNBC reports that Obama hopes to highlight the different AIDS/HIV projects that are currently being launched in sub-Saharan Africa.

The timing complements that of Michelle's husband, President Barack Obama, who recently outlined the importance of fighting AIDS on June 3rd, which many considered the 30th anniversary of the disease.

"As we remember people in our own lives we have lost and stand by those living with HIV/AIDS, we must also rededicate ourselves to finally ending this pandemic – in this country and around the world," he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that one effective way to protect sexual health is to use a condom every time during sex. Contraceptives can prevent the transmission of many STDS, including AIDS.